Denis Cuniot – Denis Cuniot plays Nano Peylet (Buda Musique, 2023)
Denis Cuniot, a prominent figure in the French klezmer music scene, will be releasing a new record on May 5, 2023, titled “Denis Cuniot Plays Nano Peylet.” The solo piano album is a tribute to the longstanding friendship between Cuniot and his musical partner, Nano Peylet, spanning over four decades.
Cuniot traces the genesis of his musical collaboration with Peylet to 1983, when they formed a duo to revive and promote klezmer music in France. Peylet, a talented clarinet and saxophone player with a background in jazz, had already immersed himself in the rich traditions of Yiddish and Klezmer music. He had worked with luminaries of the French music scene who shared his passion for the genre, such as Eddy Shaff, Teddy Lasry, and Youval Micenmacher. Peylet’s deep knowledge and love for Ashkenazi culture and its music had a profound influence on Cuniot, who found his artistic calling in klezmer music.
For Cuniot, the decision to embark on a career in klezmer music was not just a creative choice, but a political and cultural one. He felt a sense of duty to revive a musical genre that had been all but forgotten in its countries of origin. The process of resurrecting and reimagining klezmer music became a personal mission for Cuniot, who has since released numerous records, performed hundreds of concerts, and given lectures on the subject.
In his latest album, Cuniot pays homage to Peylet’s groundbreaking concept of “pre-traditional music,” which seeks to explore the roots of traditional music and create new works that transcend conventional boundaries. The album features compositions and arrangements by Peylet, performed with skill and sensitivity by Cuniot.
“Denis Cuniot Plays Nano Peylet” is a testament to the enduring friendship and artistic partnership between two musicians who have dedicated their lives to the preservation and innovation of klezmer music.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.